Cardiff City frustrated by struggling Blackpool in goalless stalemate

Cardiff City's League One title hopes suffered another setback as they were held to a frustrating stalemate at home to Blackpool.

The hosts enjoyed over 70 per cent of possession and mustered over 20 shots on goal, but were ultimately left frustrated by their relegation-threatened visitors, who arguably produced the two best chances of the game.

Tom Bloxham poked just wide shortly after half-time, while the fingertips of Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott were needed to keep out Josh Bowler's effort soon after.

Omari Kellyman spurned Cardiff's best opportunity, forcing a smart save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell early in the second half.

The Blackpool keeper was on hand again deep into stoppage-time to keep out Ryan Wintle's header.

The result cuts the gap between City and league leaders Lincoln to four points ahead of the day's other games, but this will nevertheless be seen as an opportunity missed by boss Brian Barry-Murphy, who made just one change from the defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

Additionally, this performance perhaps merely underlined the importance of Yousef Salech's return.

The Dane is poised to complete his comeback from a neck injury after the upcoming international break, and watched on from the stands as the hosts enjoyed an early flurry of promising opportunities in the opening 10 minutes.

Wintle saw a deflected effort go just wide, Rubin Colwill hit a low effort straight at the keeper, and Ollie Tanner fired an angled shot on the bounce over the bar.

Cardiff felt they should have had a penalty moments later, with Colwill's goalbound shot appearing to strike the arm of Oliver Casey.

Referee Stephen Parkinson was unmoved.

Aside from a couple of threatening counters from the visitors, Cardiff largely remained in